Air Products licenses liquid nitrogen technology to ARS for cryo-machining

The technology license agreement gives ARS extensive rights to Air Products' patented ICEFLY cryogenic machining technology, which has been applied broadly to the machining of metals and polymer materials.

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Air Products has licensed its proprietary cryogenic machining
technology to Advanced Research Systems (ARS), a leading
manufacturer of industrial and research cryogenic equipment,
including ARS' globally-renowned low-temperature
cryostats.

The technology license agreement gives ARS extensive rights
to Air Products' patented ICEFLY cryogenic machining
technology, which has been applied
broadly to the machining of metals and polymer
materials.

Included in the agreement is the transfer of ICEFLY
cryogen delivery equipment design information and cryogenic
machining know-how developed by Air Products. ICEFLY
cryogen delivery equipment is compact, easily retrofitted to
automated machine tools and machining centers, and can
deliver either a consistent, saturated stream of liquid
nitrogen for metals machining or a preset low-temperature
gaseous nitrogen stream for polymer machining, according to
company officials.

When used for metals machining, the vaporization of liquid
nitrogen targeted at the cutting tool provides efficient
cooling during the cutting operation, thereby enhancing tool
life, enabling increased cutting speeds and feeds, and
displacing the use of conventional coolants.

When used for polymer machining, especially for applications
within the medical segment where the use of traditional
coolants may be undesirable or unacceptable, the equipment
can deliver a predetermined low-temperature gaseous nitrogen
stream to minimize and, in many cases, eliminate burrs on the
work piece.

"We are confident that ARS has the engineering and cryogenic
equipment fabrication capabilities to successfully apply,
offer, and support ICEFLY cryogenic machining technology in the machining
marketplace," said Jeffrey Knopf, manager of licensing and
technology transfer at Air Products.

"We also welcome the opportunity to provide ARS customers
with our safe and reliable liquid nitrogen suppl," he added.
"As a global industrial gas supplier and recognized leader in
cryogenic technology applications, Air
Products has the experience and know-how to help ARS
customers determine the most efficient and economical
nitrogen supply option to meet their specific needs."

ARS will offer applications expertise and market
ICEFLY cryogen delivery equipment under a
newly-formed subsidiary called Industrial Cryogenic
Technologies (ICT), a company that offers both
ICEFLY equipment and turnkey offerings to integrate
the cryo-machining solution.

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